For many, this season is filled with pretty lights, joyful gatherings, and familiar traditions. But for others, it can feel heavy, crowded with expectations, deadlines, memories, and crippling grief. Even the most well-meaning celebrations can leave our hearts feeling stretched thin.
If you’re finding yourself overwhelmed, tired, or simply trying to make it through the season, you’re not alone. And more importantly, you are not forgotten by God.
When the Season Feels Like Too Much
Busyness has a way of sneaking in disguised as “good things.” Family obligations, church events, social commitments, financial pressure, and the unspoken expectation to feel joyful can all collide at once. For some, this season also magnifies loss: empty chairs at the table, strained relationships, or prayers that still feel unanswered.
In moments like these, it’s easy to feel distant from God, even while celebrating a season meant to point us to Him.
But Scripture reminds us that Jesus did not come into a calm, picture-perfect world. He entered humanity in its mess, its weariness, and its need.
Keeping Christ at the Center of a Busy Season
Keeping Christ at the center doesn’t mean doing more spiritual activities or checking off a list of religious expectations. It means reorienting our hearts again and again toward Him.
Sometimes that looks like intentionally choosing stillness over striving.
Like Mary, who sat at Jesus’ feet while Martha was consumed with preparation, we are gently reminded that presence matters more than performance (Luke 10:38–42). The season may demand much from you, but Jesus only asks for your heart.
Even a few quiet moments in His presence, praying, reading your bible, worship playing softly in the background, can realign a weary soul.
Finding God’s Presence in Grief and Weariness
For those carrying grief, the holidays can feel especially isolating. The world seems to celebrate while your heart aches in ways words can’t fully express. If this is you, know this: God is not intimidated by your sorrow.
Jesus Himself was described as “a Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). He meets us not only in joy, but in tears. For you, keeping Christ at the center may simply mean inviting Him into your pain instead of trying to hide it.
There is no pressure to “move on,” smile through the hurt, or have it all together. God’s presence is enough, even when everything else feels incomplete.
Letting Go of Pressure and Perfection
Comparison and expectation can quietly steal the joy of this season. Social media highlights, family traditions, and cultural ideals often create an unspoken pressure to perform spiritually, emotionally, or relationally. I sometimes struggle with this (yes! Confession is good for the soul). But I’m encouraged by the fact that the heart of this season isn’t perfection.
Jesus came not because the world was ready, but because it desperately needed Him. And He still comes into our chaos, our weakness, and our unfinished stories. So don’t be bogged down by the pressure to be perfect or to get everything just right, instead fix your eyes on Jesus and remember the reason for the season.
Simple Ways to Re-Center Your Heart on Christ
If the season feels overwhelming, here are a few gentle ways to refocus without adding pressure:
- Start or end your day with prayer, even if it’s just: “Lord, I need You today.” When it comes to prayer it’s not the length that counts but the depth and the sincerity of our hearts in crying out to our heavenly Father. My family and I meet twice per day via group call (because we’re all in different places) to pray for a few minutes and it makes all the difference in our days, especially now during this season when we’re tempted to get busy, ripping and running preparing for the holidays. So make time for prayer, whether by yourself or with others. This is a great way to slow down and refocus.
- Read one Scripture slowly, allowing it to speak to your heart rather than rushing through a passage. I find it extremely grounding to read my bible in the mornings before I get my day started and sometimes at night when I’m winding down for bed.
- Create intentional pauses, turn off the noise, stop scrolling, step outside, breathe deeply, and remember God is near. There are so many things that compete for our attention these days, it is extremely important to take a break from it all and just breathe and allow God to speak to you in those quiet moments.
- Give yourself grace. Yes, faithfulness in this season may look quieter than usual and that’s okay. Take the pressure off and be good to yourself
Jesus Is Still the Greatest Gift
When everything feels like too much, remember that the greatest gift of the season is not found in what we do, but in who He is.
Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, meets us exactly where we are. Not after the season settles. Not when the grief lifts. Not when the pressure fades. But now.
If you’re overwhelmed today, may you find comfort in knowing that Christ is not asking for more from you. He is offering Himself to you and He is more than enough.
Prayer
Lord, in the midst of the noise, the pressure, and the weariness, help us to fix our eyes on You. Teach us to rest in Your presence and to remember that You are near even when this season feels overwhelming. Anchor our hearts in Your peace and remind us that Your grace is sufficient. Amen.
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